First time writing a Left 4 Dead fan-fiction. Hope you enjoy! Happy reading and please review! :) Thank you to those who have faved, followed & reviewed.
I'm continuing due to lack of reviews – hope you like this next chap!
Rated T
Drama / Adventure / Friendship
Zoey & Bill
English
Alive
Chapter Two
She was comfortable. Zoey knew that much.
Her body was tired though comfortable, her once pinned down arm felt itchy, tight and was laid over her chest. She moved her finger tips together, feeling they were cold and bound together.
Unable to flex them, she bent the sheet down that lay over her, providing warmth and more comfort. Slowly opening her eyes Zoey moved her arm into her eye-line, getting a fuzzy sleep induced blur of it. Letting out an exasperated sigh after seeing the rough, hard plaster-cast around her wrist and arm which reached and stopped at her elbow. She wrinkled her nose at seeing herself in such bad shape. Had it broken? Had it fractured? It emitted a dull ache that was for sure.
It was dark too, dark enough that meant she couldn't see a mere meter in front of her, but there was enough light coming from what seemed to be an emergency support light above a doorway. Illuminating nearby surfaces with a blue glow.
Metallic tiles made up the walls, the ceiling and the floor. The bed was of the hospital variety, covered with blue sheets and not much else. The room was just as bare – either that or the lighting was really that poor. But for now, nothing else was in the small room apart from her, her bed and a small night-stand with her folded up red hoodie which, she noticed was no longer smelling of sewer.
Hearing mumbled voices outside the room, Zoey strained to make them out as she struggled to sit up then swung her legs off the bed and made to stand. Once stood, her legs felt as if they were going to give way from beneath her. The ice like floor chilling her toes while she stumbled towards the door. Stretching out her unhurt arm to steady herself also to make out any surfaces or any other pieces of furniture she might haphazardly walk into. She made it to the door, unsure whether to keep her eyes open or to shut them as the darkness looked the same regardless. Feeling out the lock with her fingers; a metal bolt with the stick pointing to the floor in a dent of the door – similar to an airlock, she clung to it with both hands, gasping in small shaky breaths of air from her small venture draining all energy from her body. Just how long had she been out for?! And just where the hell was she? Pulling open the heavy door, wrapping one hand around the handle she stepped out into the hall, darkness laid on the floor and walls, making her squint her eyes to see anything.
"You've been out fer ages..." A voice grumbled.
Zoey propped the door open with a foot and clutched her arm. "Bill?!" She asked, her voice wavered slightly as familiarity washed over her.
Bill illuminated his chin and beard when he lit his fresh cigarette with a lighter. "You expectin' someone else?" He looked her over partly. Not able to see her properly due to the half unlit area.
"No." She smirked and dived into his personal space, wrapping the older man in an awkward hug. Due to her plaster-cast getting in the way and the fact he had no idea what the young college student was doing.
"What the-" Bill grasped her shoulders and moved his head out the way in concern she'd knock out his penultimate cigarette.
"I didn't know where I was. Didn't know what happened, where you were..." She nervously ranted.
"I got ya now, kid..." He gave her back a rub. "The chopper guy took us to a military bunker or somethin' there's a few other lost bastards like us here."
Bill pulled her off him and his cigarette out of his mouth to take a long puff. "Let's get in ya room. Can't see a damn thing in here."
"Miss? Miss. You shouldn't be standing yet." A young woman wearing a lab coat and stethoscope hurriedly followed them into Zoey's room. The seeming to be Doctor patted the side of the wall which flicked on the lights. Zoey narrowed her eyes at the glare and quickly looked over at the stranger.
"I'm fine. Confused but fine." Zoey answered. The newcomer had red hair tied back in a messy bun and had on a Doctor's uniform underneath her lab coat. She clutched a clip board which she scribbled something down inside before smiling at Zoey and answering her.
"That's good, good that you're awake and good that you're up." Her smile broadened a fraction. "Now let's sort out the cobwebs shall we? You fractured your arm when an infected attacked you. We've put you in a cast and gave you some extra strength painkillers. You're in a safe area away from the infected, an underground science research bunker. We're trying to find a cure here while we rescue people like yourself from harm. We put out a message on the emergency frequency, your helicopter pilot got this message and brought you here." Her smile died and looked away from Zoey's green gaze. "But he was infected with the green flu. He sadly had to be... dealt with. I'm sorry."
The red-headed doctor handed Zoey a small tub of pills. "Take these once three times a day with a meal. Your friends are in the main, your shoes are under the bed." The doctor gestured to the bed with her clip board. "I'm off there now. To the main not to your bed..." The red-head snickered then recovered from her slip of the tongue.
She patted her chest, "I'm Samantha. Find me if you have any questions, I'm a doctor. Used to work at Mercy Hospital, FYI!" Samantha beamed. "What a day to choose a shop-bought sandwich rather than the cafeteria crap, huh?" Sam smirked but lost her newly found humour at Bill and Zoey's dark, deathly expressions.
Sam licked the front of her top teeth, embarrassed. "I'll see you around." She exited the room, leaving the lights on and moving into the corridor where Zoey had found Bill.
After she had left Bill turned to Zoey and jerked his thumb at the door. "Looks like someone's found a new friend." He said under his breath, a half-chuckle left his lips as Zoey furrowed her brows at him. "Francis hates her..." Bill continued, looking at his cigarette, tapping the end before putting it back in his mouth.
"What's new?!" She raised her eyebrow.
Searching under the bed, she found her shoes. Zoey slipped them on, not bothering to tie the laces instead pushing them into the trainer. Leaving her hoodie, she went in search of her new friends and survivors.
Bill and Zoey walked the corridor, only made longer by the fact it was near pitch-black with only a handful of lights upon the ceiling only being turned on by sensing their presence. She looked up at each one glowing brighter as they passed underneath them. "Louis liked 'em too." Bill looked across at her. Earning a smirk from the brunette.
They reached the end of the short corridor, reaching another heavy metal door. Bill opened it for her, "Ladies first." He let go of it behind him and pushed her into the large room.
Tables and chairs made up close to all the large area as she entered it, noticing more of it as she moved into it. To the far right of the room was a small soup kitchen with a smattering of people getting served and seated at the tables. All wearing attire similar to Samantha's. At the opposite end of the room was some computers on desks, most in a pile with broken screens or smashed sides. Some with no signs of damage at all. All in a shaded area of the main room. Directly beside her was what looked like a fire escape inside, stairs similar to the flooring in the main only fenced off with bars and metal mesh grating.
Two vast windows opened the room up to the outside, sky-scrapers and clouds were noticeable. Though on closer inspection she noticed the view looked flat, unreal. Huh. She thought to herself. The H.I.V.E. Resident Evil. 2002. Milla Jojovich. Michelle Rodriguez. Her brain tracked back to nights in her cosy dorm room; sat in bed, with the sweet smell of popcorn in her nostrils as she snacked on the much loved cinema treat whilst watching horror films all night.
The movie had the same type of windows; giving the worker a false impression that they worked in a high-rise whereas they worked deep underground.
They moved away from the empty space and into the seating area. "Look who's up." Bill pulled her by the shoulders as he spoke to someone. Zoey looked away from the false windows and was met by the surprised expressions of Francis and Louis.
"Well, hey, hey. Look who's joined the land of the living." Francis retorted. "Or is it the land of the dead now?" He frowned.
"Hey, guys. Looks worse than it is." She set next to Louis as he nursed a black coffee, Francis across had a coffee, some soup and a serving of what looked like bake crossed with vomit.
"But you're breathing and you're here. That's all that matters." Louis' gentle positive tone reassured her, that and his hand upon her shoulder.
"Well this is shit, it's rank. Ugh, what I wouldn't give for a frickin' steak." Francis moaned at his given meal. Pushing it away from him then rubbing at his stubble with a leather gloved hand.
"Did you get your coffee from over there, Louis?" Zoey asked, standing and ignoring Francis' outburst. Only just realising the delicious aroma of coffee wafting over to her.
She pointed to the make shift refectory.
"Yeah, you want me to get your a cup?" The ever cheerful business man chimed.
"Nah, it's my arm that's hurt. Not my legs. I'm capable to walking." Zoey moved around the table to Francis' side. "Can I get you anything?"
"Same." Francis crossed his arms over himself and looked down at his food in disgust. "Nothin' can be as bad as that crap."
"What were you expecting, Francis? Beer, burger and fries?!" Louis chuckled lightly.
"Well, yeah!"
"They're on rations. The power's on emergency-"
The bickering voices of Louis and Francis faded as she got closer to the small serving hatch, getting two coffees for them both. She noticed Sam standing beside her, sipping her own black coffee. "Not bad, huh?" Samantha smiled.
"Beats living out there." Zoey cocked her head to the windows.
Sam let a small chuckle escape her lips, her laughter reaching her warm chestnut brown eyes. "They're not real. They're fake, to give the worker-"
"-a 'normal' working enviroment. Right?" Zoey honestly smiled for the first time since the hospital's elevator ride after Bill had cracked a joke about the zombie apocalypse of 1957 or something to help pass the time.
"Good girl, not many people know that." The side of Sam's mouth quirked up slightly, elongating the first two words. "Right, now that you're better, well up at least. You're gonna be bunking with one of your Survivor buddies. Single rooms are only for patients." Her tone changed.
"Oh yay(!)" Zoey groaned in mock fear then looked straight at Samantha. "Patients?" Her eyebrow raised, eyes narrowed as an alarm bell rang somewhere in her mind.
"Mm. Hate to be the one to break this to you but... even though you're immune. You still carry the Green Flu. But we're all the same here, we all do, we're all carriers. So there's only two ways to see this – a) we're all in the same boat. Or b) we're stuck with one another." Sam gave a sad smile.
"Oh, God..." Zoey ran her fingers over the grimy bare skin of her upper chest and arms, looking down at herself. Half expecting to see her veins had turned black or that her skin had taken an ashen appearance. Her mouth went dry at the sickening news and at the prospect that she, they might have been the ones to infect the chopper pilot...
"You're fine. You don't have any of the symptoms. Neither do your boys." Sam broadly grinned and gave positive nod in hope to perk Zoey's spirits. "Now, let's get you a sling. We don't want you harming yourself further do we?"
Once all tethered up to perfection, ensuring her arm would in now ways be harmed with a knock or bump. Zoey had gone to rest with her fellow team, finding out they all already knew about they all being unfortunate carries of the virus. Each taking it in their own way, each not really showing about how they felt about the whole ordeal.
Then receiving a suggestion they should all retire soon, seeing as it was night. Much to Zoey's disapproval they had all moved into their sleeping quarters for the night. Francis and Louis bunked together and Sam had pulled some strings so she could be room mates with Zoey. Bill was lucky enough to be sharing with a guard who worked the night shift – getting the best deal according to Louis about how the war vet wouldn't have to put up with Francis' snoring.
Samantha handed Zoey her red jacket and a large white t-shirt to sleep in. "Best PJs in 5 miles let me tell you." She joked to the college girl. "There's a shower in the bathroom. With hot water and towels, knock yourself out – you look like you could do with one."
She took her sling off for her shower, hoping to redress herself afterwards. "Thanks, Sam." Zoey took the clothes, sighing at the thought of a hot shower. Carrying the t-shirt with her to the bathroom, finding inside the poky room, a step-in shower, sink and small toilet. A handful of military grade toiletries sat in the corner of the shower.
Military food, military beds and soaps; they might as well sign up right there...
Zoey took a quick shower, relishing in the way the water was at the right temperature, and the fact she could wash out all the grime her body and hair had collected through the travels into the undead riddled subway, sewer and hospital.
Her hair hung around her shoulders, washed, smelling of soap instead of filth. Wearing the t-shirt over nothing else but her underwear she climbed into bed. Sleep would be much appreciated but due to Francis' snoring coming through the wall and her forty winks caught earlier – sleep didn't seem to be on the table. Also, the news that she was a carrier, an infected of the green flu didn't help her to sleep. The same virus that had brought down and brought to a stop all of Pennsylvania, that had killed her parents and all the residents of her once loved home was now inside her though not harming her.
Zoey rolled over to face Sam, already sleeping like a log. How she'd done that was a mystery to her. She'd not even been all that long in the shower.
Reluctantly getting out of bed, she shoved on her jeans, managing to do them up despite her sling. Immediately regretting the action as she felt the dirt in the denim cling back onto her fresh skin.
Going in search of the refectory to grab some food to take her painkillers with, she passed Bill's quarters. Hearing him mumbling to himself about the lack of cigarettes. Sneaking in his room she closed the door behind her.
Bill looked up at her, his last cigarette lit in his mouth.
"Couldn't sleep." She said, truthfully.
"So you thought yer would come and annoy me. How thoughtful." He dead-panned, nodding to himself.
"Francis is snoring through the damn wall, Sam's off like a log and as much as I've grown used to falling asleep listing to Francis at night. I would like some peace and quiet." She dropped her shoulders. "And I miss hearing you clean your gun at night..."
"Could do it now if ya want." Bill dropped the lighter on his bed and picked up his weapon by its muzzle.
"How the hell did you get that in here?!" Zoey walked over to him, the light above glowing a little brighter. "Francis said they took all our weapons when we came in."
"I bunk with a guard. Know where they keep 'em locked up...and I don't trust these fools." He continued, staring at the opposite wall.
"Mind if I stay? Don't think they serve food at this time and I can't take my meds without it." Zoey changed the subject.
"Your arm botherin' ya?" Bill asked, concerned.
"No, just thought they'd help me drift off." She shook her head. "I'll start them tomorrow."
A beat of silence passed. "Ah, you can stay. Can't be any worse than having all three of ya." Bill shoved his boots off his feet, carefully extinguished his cigarette then got into bed. Taking off his beret and motioning her to come over. "Come here, kid. Not gonna let you go without sleep." He moved over in the single bunk, letting her get in then throwing the sheet over her.
She lent on her side and her good arm, snuggling into Bill as he moved his arm around her as his other clutched his Assault Rifle. "You sleepin' with your gun?" Zoey queried, her voice half taken aback, half comforted.
"Yeah. Weren't you?" Bill asked back.
"Hm, yeah... I can't pull any punches there then." Her smile was evident in her voice.
Zoey felt her body relax, closing her eyes as she tried to let her mind go blank she heard the emergency power switch off for the night.
End of Chapter Two.
Hope you enjoyed! :D Please review! Next chapter's all ready to be posted. If I get enough reviews, I'll do it ASAP!